This adaptation of the Bourbon Renewal cocktail can be made as tangy or sweet as you prefer. Either way, it’s a delicious happy hour treat!
Happy Monday, Urban Bliss warriors! How was your weekend?
I spent 30 glorious hours in Seattle, Washington for the Seattle Food and Wine Experience. I lounged luxuriously in the super awesome Maxwell Hotel (review with tons of photos coming soon) and ate one of the best breakfasts I have eaten in recent memory at Toulouse Petit (you know that restaurant review is coming soon too!).
Then I had the absolute joy and honor of learning more about some new-to-me food, wine, beer, cider, and spirits brands at the Seattle Food and Wine Experience events. Folks, I have at least a dozen stories coming your way later this year, from this weekend alone. We are so blessed with an abundance of amazing food & beverage companies and products in the Pacific Northwest, and I cannot wait to share some of my favorites with you!
But until then, we tackle Monday. I realize that today is National Margarita Day, but since it’s my birthday week, I thought today I would share one of my favorite cocktails in the whole world for this week’s Mixology Monday.
Bourbon Renewal
I first had the Bourbon Renewal at Clyde Common in Portland, Oregon about five or six years ago. Maybe even seven. I’m turning another year older on Thursday, so let’s just make it eight years ago, to be safe, because I know I had it first within a year or two of their grand opening in 2007.
It blew my mind, folks. I love bourbon, and this cocktail celebrates good bourbon with a hint of sweetness and a dash of bright citrus.
Bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler reportedly named this recipe after a band that his former business partner was in. Morgenthaler is a legend in the mixology scene and really, any cocktail you have at Clyde Common is phenomenal. I love going there for happy hour.
My recipe is adapted slightly from his in that I don’t always have creme de cassis on hand, so I substitute black currant syrup or raspberry or marionberry liqueur. If you have creme de cassis on hand, by all means, do use it!
I also substitute The Bitter Housewife’s Aromatic Bitters for Angostura bitters, as I usually do, but if you have Angostura bitters on hand, use that.
Bourbon Renewal
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz black currant syrup, or sub raspberry liqueur or creme de cassis
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 2-3 dashes aromatic bitters, or Angostura bitters
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake, then strain over ice into an old-fashioned glass.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge, blackberries, currants.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More cocktail recipes you might like:
Mixology Monday: Rosemary Citrus Old Fashioned
Mixology Monday: Backyard Collins
Mixology Monday: The Mrs. cocktail
What’s your favorite bourbon cocktail? Or, if you don’t like bourbon, what the heck is wrong with you? KIDDING! I kid. What’s your fave cocktail or mocktail, if you don’t like bourbon?
I’ve been looking for this recipe…you nailed it! Served this to many guests with hearty approval all around. Used Makers Mark, DuBochett creme de cassis and Bitter Housewife with really excellent results. Thanks so much for posting!
I am terribly unversed in mixed drinks. I have been wanting to try doing some though. This looks delicious!
I love love love bourbon! It’s my favorite liquor :)
Mine too :)
This looks luscious, Marlynn! Can I just tell you that I’ve been faithfully following your Seattle trip via social media and feeling so happy for you and your wonderful weekend adventure. Your enthusiasm is contagious!
Thanks SO much, Renée! I really appreciate it :-)